The Punjab government has informed the High Court that a new, shorter route to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport via the Sector 65-66 junction (near Bawa White House) is expected to be completed by December 2025. This alternative route aims to improve connectivity to the airport, although it may not significantly benefit travelers coming from Chandigarh, as the distance will remain nearly the same.
Project Details
A government counsel has stated that the new 8.5-km-long, 164-ft (500-metre) wide road will run parallel to Airport Road (PR-7), beginning from Bawa White House in Mohali’s Phase 9, Industrial Area. The ₹125-crore project is intended to provide an alternate access to the airport instead of the previously proposed route by the Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, since the distance from Chandigarh remains almost unchanged, the project’s direct benefits for travelers from the city are limited.
Other Road Development Plans
Apart from this new route, the Punjab government has also informed the High Court about the upgradation of an 18-ft wide road starting from Jagatpura village. According to the government, 90% of the work on this road has already been completed, which is expected to further enhance local connectivity.
High Court Monitoring of Airport Projects
The discussion regarding airport accessibility has been ongoing since December 2015, when the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the lack of adequate facilities at the airport. Since then, the High Court has been closely monitoring the development of various projects related to the airport.
One of the key issues under debate is the direct link between Sector 48 and the airport, which would have significantly reduced the travel time between Chandigarh and the airport from 25 minutes to just 5 minutes. The demand for this direct connection originated in 2016-17, particularly from stakeholders in Haryana and Chandigarh, as it would have cut down travel time for commuters from Panchkula, Chandigarh, and the airport.
Opposition to the Sector 48-Airport Link
Initially, the Punjab government had agreed to the proposed direct link, and the then Governor had granted ‘in-principle’ approval for the project in 2022. The Central Government also sanctioned the project. However, in 2023, the Punjab government changed its stance and instead initiated work on the 164-ft-wide parallel road connecting the airport and Bawa White House.
Implications of the New Route
While the new alternative road is expected to improve connectivity for travelers using Mohali-based routes, it does not resolve the longstanding demand for a direct link from Chandigarh to the airport. The original proposal to start the road from Sector 48 would have reduced the current 11.5-km distance between Chandigarh and the airport to just 3.5 km, significantly decreasing travel time.
The opposition from the Punjab government has led to concerns among stakeholders, particularly from Chandigarh and Haryana, who argue that the revised project does not adequately address their travel needs.
Conclusion
The Punjab government’s decision to develop an alternate road to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport marks an important step in improving local connectivity. However, the rejection of the direct Chandigarh-airport link continues to be a point of contention, especially for daily commuters from Chandigarh and Panchkula. With the project scheduled for completion by December 2025, it remains to be seen how effectively this new route will serve airport travelers and alleviate existing connectivity issues.
For further updates on this infrastructure project, stay tuned.
News source: Hindustan Times.
